The agreements are necessary under state law. Applications to establish the schools are submitted to local school districts, and the district’s determine if the schools meet the requirements to operate under the district’s limited oversight.

Both agreements include conditions that the charter schools would need to address in the coming year to stay open beyond 2015. Those conditions include increased adherence to the Open Meetings Act, better record keeping of school governance, greater transparency and increased accountability for school and student performance.

Per the new contracts, Galapagos and Legacy will need to submit an accountability plan that includes information on educational, financial and operational goals for 2014 through 2019 and provide the district will quarterly updates.

The contract also asks that the charter schools seek their own transportation provider and that the district will provide it only if an alternate provider cannot be obtained.

“We’re happy to have five more years,” Galapagos CEO Michael Lane said after the meeting. “We provide a good service for the scholars of Rockford. ... The conditions are fine. We’ll meet all the conditions.”

Legacy served 381 students from kindergarten to ninth grade during the 2012-2013 school year. Galapagos served 272 students from kindergarten through seventh grade. Legacy plans to expand to 10th grade next year. Galapagos will expand to eighth grade.

Enrollment at the two schools, and a third charter school that opened in 2010, is open and free of charge to any student living within the boundaries of the Rockford School District.